AS and A-level Languages subject update
Autumn 2026
Welcome to our autumn 2026 newsletter
Welcome back. We hope you’ve had a restful summer break and a positive start to the new academic year.
We'd like to extend a warm welcome to all members of our AQA Languages community. Whether you're returning to familiar routines or embarking on a new challenge this year, we're delighted to be working alongside you to deliver our qualifications and support to the next generation of language learners.
Now, more than ever, the strength of our Languages community lies in collaboration. One of the highlights of the past academic year has been the opportunity to meet so many of you in schools, colleges, network meetings and at MFL events across the country. We’re always grateful for the time you take to share your experiences with us and these conversations help us better understand how we can support you and your learners throughout the academic year.
We've been working hard to expand and enhance our support offer. We're delighted to share a range of new resources and professional development opportunities designed to help you deliver our qualifications with confidence. We encourage you to take some time to explore what's newly available and consider how these materials might support teaching and curriculum planning.
If any members of your team would like to receive subject-specific updates, they can easily sign up at AQA subject updates, so they’re always informed and feel part of our community.
If there's anything more you need, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You'll find our contact details at the bottom of this newsletter, along with a link to book a free one-to-one video call with a member of the Languages Subject Support team. We're always happy to hear from you and look forward to working alongside you throughout the year.
Best wishes
Rosy Thompson
Subject Lead for Languages
Help shape the future of digital assessment
We’d like to hear about your experiences of digital teaching, learning and assessment through a short survey.
By sharing your experiences, you’ll help us shape the guidance, resources and support teachers need as digital assessment continues to evolve.
The survey contains 24 questions, takes around 12 minutes to complete and closes on 1 November 2026. As a thank you, participants who complete the survey can enter a prize draw for the chance to win one of four £50 gift vouchers.
Curriculum Connects
Join us in the autumn term for Curriculum Connects looking back at the summer series and walking you through our support offer. If you’re signed up to our email updates, keep an eye on your inbox for further details and information on how to book your place on future sessions.
Curriculum Connect: A-level Languages: Exploring 2026
Join the AQA Languages Subject Support team for a look into the key themes of the 2026 exams for AS and A-level Languages. You'll hear the highlights of the 2026 examiner reports, get updates on the latest support and resources, and have the opportunity to ask your questions to our expert subject team.
Curriculum Connect: AQA Languages: Support and Resources Update
Join the AQA Languages Subject Support team for a walk through the latest support, resources and training from AQA to help you hit the ground running this academic year.
Supporting the transition to A-level Languages
Will your learners be ready for the step up to A-level?
The move from GCSE to A-level can feel like a significant leap, but with the right preparation learners can start Year 12 with confidence.
That's why we've developed Bridging the Gap for French, German and Spanish, a set of free resources designed to support smooth progression and independent learning.
Each resource includes:
- A-level cultural and societal themes
- structured tasks to retrieve and extend knowledge
- vocabulary and grammar in context
- A-level question formats
- full answers sections for independent study.
Whether you're extending Year 11 students after their exams or helping prospective post-16 learners prepare for September, these resources are an excellent way to build confidence and maintain momentum. Following such a positive response from both teachers and learners, more units are already in development and will be released throughout the year.
Access the free resources:
Thinking about switching to AQA languages for GCSE?
If you or your colleagues are considering a move to AQA GCSE French, German or Spanish, there's plenty of support available to help you make an informed decision.
Our new specifications have been designed with a clear focus on helping all students succeed, combining accessible assessments with engaging and relevant content that builds confidence and supports progress.
We know that switching specifications is a significant decision for departments. That's why the MFL Subject Support team is on hand to support you every step of the way, offering expert guidance, training and a wealth of resources designed to help save you time.
If you're a Head of Department exploring your options, take a look at our comprehensive Switching guide, designed to help you transition with confidence. We also offer a bespoke PowerPoint presentation to support discussions with senior leaders and parents, as well as one-to-one switching clinics with a member of our team.
Our yearly roadmap is another resource well worth exploring. Designed to provide a clear overview of the academic year at a glance, it helps departments map key milestones, assessments and deadlines while highlighting the resources, training and community events available to support qualification delivery. With each term clearly set out, it's an invaluable tool for keeping sight of the bigger picture and supporting effective long-term planning alongside the day-to-day demands of teaching and exam preparation.
Discover all the support available and see how we can help make your transition as smooth as possible.
Get more with myAQA
myAQA gives you access to everything you need to plan, teach and assess, including our secure extranet – Centre Services. Here you’ll find essential resources, such as the latest past papers, as well as Teacher Online Standardisation (T-OLS) and much more.
Don’t have a myAQA account yet? Complete a short form to get started. Once your Exams Officer has verified your registration, then you’re ready to go.
Free CPD courses and events – autumn 2026
For autumn 2026, we’ve developed a range of free professional development training courses to help you improve your knowledge of the specification and classroom confidence.
You’ll soon be able to sign up to our new session, Exploring Written Responses, which will shine a spotlight on summary questions (Paper 1) and essay questions (Paper 2).
In this session, we'll:
- explore real student responses and examiner expectations
- examine how performance develops across the levels
- share practical teaching strategies to support student progress.
A fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of these assessment areas and take away ideas you can use straight away in the classroom.
Student Advisory Group recruitment for 2026/27
Help your learners influence the future of exams
We’re looking for learners to join our Student Advisory Group for 2026/27. The group gives young people a direct opportunity to share their experiences and views on qualifications, assessments and the wider exam system. Their insights will help shape the future of the curriculum, qualifications and assessments for young people, as well as our work to offer new vocational qualifications.
If you know any learners who may be interested, please encourage them to apply – we’re looking for students who have taken AQA qualifications, though this is not essential, and they can be sitting general or vocational qualifications.
Applications open: Monday 7 September 2026
Applications close: 5.00pm on Monday 21 September 2026
Thank you for helping us raise awareness of this opportunity among your learners. For more information about the Student Advisory Group and details on how to apply, please visit our website.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) within assessments
JCQ’s AI in assessments: protecting the integrity of qualifications document provides teachers/assessors involved in delivering JCQ qualifications with the information they need to manage the use of AI in assessments. All relevant staff need to be aware of and familiarise themselves with the latest guidance and instructions. If AI misuse is detected or suspected by your school or college, and the declaration of authentication has been signed, the case must be reported.
Contact our Languages team
Whatever your question, our Subject Support team is here to help.
- Email: mfl@aqa.org.uk
- Call: 01483 477 756, Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm